Page 60 of All Because I Found You

“Okay a lot, but you’re my complicated mess.”

“Who said anything about being a mess?”

She laughed, and the tightness in his heart eased. “Shut up and kiss me.”

He leaned down and captured her lips, showing her just how much he cherished her. Lo… No. Impossible. But was it? This woman had forced her way into his life, made him feel alive for the first time in eleven years, made him laugh, and brought joy back to his life. He’d be an idiot not to see what was happening right in front of him.

He loved her, and while that should have made him happy, it did the complete opposite. It made him angry because he could never be the man she hoped he would one day be. He was afraid they were just biding their time. Once she realized how irrevocably broken he was, she would leave him and send him back to the silence.

Chapter 21

It was their second pizza and Chinese Friday together, but Raelyn wasn’t hungry. She sat at the table and watched Ryder take a bite of his pizza. His hair hung in his face, and she leaned over, brushing the dark auburn strands behind his ear.

“Better,” she said with a smile.

He nodded at her empty plate. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“Not right now. My stomach’s been a little weird, and I don’t think cheese, sauce, and lo mein are a good idea.”

“You should’ve ordered some soup then.”

“I’m just not hungry, but that’s okay. I like watching you eat.”

His lip quirked, and his forehead furrowed. “Because that’s not weird at all.”

“It’s not. I think it’s romantic.”

“How is me shoveling pizza into my face romantic?” He took a big bite out of his slice as if to prove his point.

“If seeing grease drip down your chin doesn’t gross me out, it tells me you’re definitely a keeper.”

He took a napkin and wiped his face. “I’m not sure I’ll ever understand your logic.”

“That’s fine. Most people don’t.” A yawn pushed out, and she rolled her neck from one side to the other. It had been a long week. Today alone, she’d met with Isla to go over centerpieces for the fiftieth wedding anniversary party she was throwing in a couple of weeks, then met with a new client who wanted a rustic fall wedding at the barn—that she now had permission to book as often as she wanted—then stopped by her parents’ place.

“Tired?” Ryder asked.

“A little. This week kind of beat me up. Nothing some sleep can’t fix.”

“Why don’t you go relax on the couch, and I’ll clean up in here?”

“Deal!” She grabbed her water and headed to the couch, plopping down with her head on George. He was turning out to be a great pillow.

She turned the TV on and almost immediately drifted off. She awoke to Ryder picking her up from the couch.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Bringing your old ass to bed.”

“I’m not old.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and cuddled into the crook. He smelled yummy, and she inhaled deeply. “Mmm. You smell good.” She kissed his bare skin, and she felt the stutter in his step.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Seeing if you taste as good as you smell.”

“I thought you were tired.”

She trailed her tongue to his earlobe, swirling and nipping. “I took a nap. Now I’m horny.”

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